Weight Loss, Bone Health, and Fracture Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
Official title: Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Metabolomics, and Risk of Frailty Fracture in Overweight or Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11093537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores why people with type 2 diabetes who lose weight through an intensive program might have a higher chance of bone fractures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $589,355 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG068232-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project uses existing data and blood samples from participants who previously took part in the Look AHEAD trial, so new patient enrollment is not part of this specific research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing intensive weight loss or those without type 2 diabetes may not directly benefit from the findings of this specific research.
What this research studies
Losing weight is very helpful for people with type 2 diabetes, improving blood sugar and heart health. However, past findings, including from a large study called Look AHEAD, suggest that intensive weight loss programs might also increase the risk of bone fractures. This project aims to understand why this happens by examining specific chemical changes in the body, called metabolomics, that occur during weight loss. Researchers will use advanced lab techniques on blood samples collected from thousands of participants in the original Look AHEAD study to identify these changes. The goal is to discover the underlying reasons so we can develop better ways to protect bones while people achieve healthy weight loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to protect bones and prevent fractures for people with type 2 diabetes who are losing weight.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large studies, such as the Look AHEAD trial, have observed the association between intensive weight loss and increased fracture risk, making this project a crucial next step to understand the underlying causes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Qi — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Qi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.